Two Chinese siblings were indicted on Thursday after they allegedly conspired to place an improvised explosive device (IED) at the MacDill Air Force Base Visitor’s Center in Tampa, Florida.
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The siblings, Alen Zheng, 20, living in Land O’ Lakes, Florida, and Ann Mary Zheng, also of Land O’ Lakes, Florida, were charged with an alleged failed bomb plot.
Alen Zheng was charged with attempted damage of government property by fire or explosion, unlawful making of a destructive device, and possession of an unregistered destructive device. He faces a maximum of 40 years in prison.
The indictment accused him of placing and attempting to detonate an IED at the Air Force base on March 10, though the device failed to detonate and was later found and deactivated.
Ann Mary Zheng was charged with assisting after the fact in relation to her brother’s alleged crimes. She allegedly helped her brother evade arrest and concealed a 2010 black Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 to prevent its use as evidence. She faces a maximum of 30 years in prison.
According to the FBI, both siblings fled to China two days after planting the bomb, after they allegedly cleaned and sold a vehicle related to the incident, but explosive residue was discovered inside the car.
Ann Mary Zheng was arrested when she returned from China, but Alen remains in China, where U.S. authorities cannot reach him.
Fox News reported that Alen Zheng planted the IED on March 10, then placed a cryptic call warning that he had placed a bomb, but not specifying the location.
The FBI noted that the device would have been “extremely deadly” if it functioned correctly, but the device was not located until March 16.
After the device was found, a search of Alen Zheng’s home allegedly revealed material consistent with the production of an IED.
According to Fox, the suspects’ mother was taken into ICE custody and allegedly claimed that her son admitted to his role in the plot.
Notably, MacDill Air Force Base houses U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which is conducting the war against Iran. It also houses U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), responsible for all U.S. special military operations.
